"We are ready to raise the volume at whatever tonnage, because Bulog has ample stocks of rice," Bulog President Director Sutarto Alimoeso said.Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The State Logistics Body (Bulog) is ready to increase rice supply for the poor when the government increases the prices of subsidized fuel, according to the procurement agency`s chief .
"We are ready to raise the volume at whatever tonnage, because Bulog has ample stocks of rice," Bulog President Director Sutarto Alimoeso said here on Tuesday.
The government has so far provided 15 kg of rice to each underprivileged family, which is adequate to meet 30-40 percent of the recipient`s needs.
If each family will be given 30 kg, it will meet up to 60-70 percent of the family`s needs.
The government distributes around 230,000 tons of rice per month.
Bulog`s rice stocks currently reach more than 2.5 million tons, or adequate to cover the nation`s needs for 10 months.
"I principle, Bulog is ready to allocate more rice for the poor if needed. When the fuel prices are increased, certainly the distribution of rice for the poor will be surged," he said.
Social Affairs Minister Salim Segaf Al-Jufri said when the fuel price hike will take place in May, the rice increase to 30 kg will start in May, too.
The government will make the fuel price hike conditional on the compensation package which consists of four programs, namely the distribution of rice for the poor, education scholarships, temporary direct cash transfers, and conditional cash transfer scheme called the Family of Hope program.
President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono earlier stated that the planned price hike of subsidized fuel will be implemented only when compensation for the poor is approved by the parliament.
National Development Planning Minister Armida Alisjahbana said the allocation of funds for the poor to compensate planned subsidized fuel price hike, will be discussed during talks with the Parliament in May 2013.(*)
Editor: Heru Purwanto
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